Are You Mentally Ill? Am I?

What Is Mental Illness?

Who, exactly, qualifies under this banner? Surprisingly, it’s not rare, nor is it only the wild shooter out on a rampage that ends in suicide, or “suicide by police.” That’s only the more severely affected, and the news media is ever eager to jump on the sensational stories. “If it bleeds, it leads,” is their motto and m.o.

When a person loses it completely, and ‘goes off the deep end,’ there have usually been plenty of clues; it’s just that the average person doesn’t know how to spot the danger signs. Hence, you have the surprised and horrified neighbors remembering, “…they were such a nice, quiet family…”

Still waters run deep. This may be a trite and overworked expression, but it is true. Those who struggle with being open, and discussing problems and issues, or their own emotional distress, are the ones liable to blow. You can only “stuff” things like that for so long before it has a negative effect on both your body and your psyche.

In this piece, I speak from my own experience with some of these conditions, and the treatment I have found helpful.

There Are Many Components to Mental Illnesses

Anxiety causes much discomfort within the self, as well as with others | Source

Emotions Are Powerful Things!

Our emotions cannot be separated from our physical bodies. Remember: Mr. Spock is a Vulcan, and Vulcans are a fictitious race of people. We humans do not so easily take up such an even-tempered, logical outlook on life with its humps and hollows.

What Are Those Stress Hormones?

It is fairly technical in nature, being more oriented toward the medical profession, but it has valuable information nonetheless.

Back in the days when we lived in caves, and perhaps had to out-run or outsmart dangers such as saber-toothed tigers, it was all about raw emotion. Anything that could eat us was dangerous. That sets off the fight-or-flight response, releasing a mix of preparatory chemicals (specific hormones) into our bloodstreams. This internal cocktail gave us temporary extra boosts of speed or strength to help us survive.

Sadly, our emotions have not evolved as quickly as our modern society. Therefore, when we have a cranky, picky boss at work, the primitive parts of our brain and nervous system sends that same chemical soup into action.

However, since it is not considered the done thing to whack the boss with a tree limb, we are left figuratively ‘stewing in our own juices.’ Running away would equally cause loss of the job; so, robbed of their original purpose, the adrenaline, and other stress hormones are left to wreak havoc upon our physical and mental selves.

Built up over time, repetitive episodes like this start to harm us. We could get an ulcer; have a heart attack or stroke; or simply become so distraught and distracted that we could walk right in front of a moving car because we were so worked up we were not paying attention

A Wide Range of Disorders

Mental illness is many things, ranging from the mild to the severe. The reference manual for professionals in the field is the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, or DSM (now in its 5th printing). This book is a good 2 inches thick, and represents over 10 years of research and input by professionals around the globe. The first edition came out in 1952, and the volumes have gotten progressively thicker as more nuances of various disorders were classified, and as new ones were included.

The fact that new disorders have been added is a good thing, because previously, the people afflicted led very difficult lives without recognition of their problem as a medical issue. Hence, they had no recourse to any kind of assistance or treatment. These include the range of severity on the autism spectrum for example. Some sufferers have a very mild form, and are able to function in society at a very high level, while others are barely able to even speak or make eye contact. There are so many sub-groups of this particular disorder that I won’t even try to mention them, as it would be an entire article in itself, and besides, I’m not a psychiatric professional, so am not qualified to discuss them.

In a nutshell, however, nearly every person on the planet has probably suffered at one time or another from a mental illness or disorder of some form; the most common of these being anxiety and depression. Both of these often go hand in hand, working together to make us feel miserable. When these two conditions become chronic and severe, so that self-help no longer works, it is time for the medical team to step in.

Anxiety and depression are the two most common types of mental illness, from which nearly everyone suffers or has suffered at some point in their lives; of course, there are varying degrees of severity.

Learning Disorders

No wonder I struggled so, and continue to do so in many areas involving numbers, including occasional errors in my checkbook, which is never a good thing. In addition to my lack of skill in calculations, I am also somewhat dyslexic where numbers are concerned. Dyslexia is the tendency to see or perceive things backwards, such as reading 'saw' for 'was.' In numbers, it affects me with a tendency to transpose digits, seeing $1.89 instead of $1.98, for example. This is where I get into trouble with the checkbook now and then!

And no wonder that it did not help one little bit that a 4th grade teacher I had should have sought a different profession, given as he was to vile fits of rage. He would yell and turn beet red; breaking pointers across desks; and so forth when questions were asked.

To him, that only meant you had not been paying attention. No quarter was given for genuine attempts to better understand. I coped by doing my best to feign understanding and trying to be invisible.

You’d Be Surprised…

…very surprised indeed if I were to lay a wager that you, dear reader, are very likely to have a mental illness. I know I do. Yes, that’s right; I’m ‘coming out’ and owning it. I have suffered from anxiety and depression for many years now, and have only in the last 2 years been able to access treatment.

Most disorders are due to some kind of chemical imbalance in the brain. Anxiety and depression though, can be temporary, and situational, meaning that you become anxious and depressed due to something that has happened in your life, but feel better once whatever it was has been resolved.

However, if the situation does not resolve, and the anxiety and depression become chronic, this can lead to changes in the brain, making it not so easy to recover.

The thing that makes it so difficult to understand, and has people reacting with shock and surprise to learn that a neighbor is mentally ill, is that this is an invisible disability. Sufferers look perfectly normal, and may function in their jobs and at home just fine; or, they may not. But you cannot, as the old adage says, judge a book by its cover.

What Is Anxiety?

The short version is: anxiety is constantly worrying about things over which you have no control. That “crossing the bridge before you come to it,” scenario; always worried about all the dreadful things that could go wrong (but probably won’t).

Of course, it is not a literal bridge, but any life event you may be anticipating (or dreading). Happy occasions can cause as much stress, sometimes more, than sad or scary ones. Look no farther than the stressed-out bride-to-be as she juggles all of the details in planning her wedding.

Maybe it’s not such a happy time, but a time when you lost a job, and had trouble finding another; or the death of a parent or other beloved relative, or even a pet.

All are anxiety-producing events.

The Bride:

What if I can’t find just the perfect dress?

What if my dress isn’t ready on time?

What if I catch a cold?

What if I trip and fall walking down the aisle?

What if no one comes to my wedding?

What if the caterer runs out of food?

Being Fired:

That wasn’t fair! I didn’t deserve to be sacked!

What if I can’t find a new job?

What if my resume isn’t good enough?

What if my old boss gives me a lousy report for references?

What if I go broke and become homeless?

What if I get in an accident, and I don’t have insurance anymore?

A Death in the Family:

Oh, my gosh—I really loved my sister, but the last time we spoke, we argued! I never got to apologize; what if she died still mad at me?

My father was my mentor and best friend; now I’m drifting in the world—what if I never find myself again?

Oh, I can’t believe my dog died—we’ve been together since I was 8. What if I’d gone to college closer to home—he might still be with me.

What if…what if…what if … the list of anxiety-producing ‘what ifs’ is nearly endless, and can be very stressful. The personality who habitually lives in the world of ‘what if,’ is an excellent candidate for chronic anxiety, and falling into depression. No matter what happens, they are never happy, for they are too busy worrying.

(“What ifs” are so counter-productive, that my karate instructor will not answer ‘what if’ questions, because it can derail the entire class session, as more students chime in with their own imagined scenarios.)

So, what would happen if you decide to stop ‘what-iffing’ everything, and just be aware in the moment, and do what needs to be done right now. Remember this advice from the Dalai Lama:

“There are 2 days in a year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is tomorrow. So today is the perfect day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.”

Interesting Additional Reading

How Many Kinds of Mental Illness Are There? Can You be Too Smart For Your Own Good?

According to many studies published in various places, including this one, in Medical Daily, there is a link between high intelligence and getting 'As' in school, and the propensity for mental illness.

In this article in Psychology Today, there is a discussion about whether or not there are 300 different disorders that can occur, or just a few, using broader categories.

It’s Time to End the Stigma

Being mentally ill to any degree has always triggered images of the stereotypical “nut house,” or “insane asylum,” in which the inmates are seen as wandering about babbling nonsense to themselves, or are drugged into a stupor to keep them calm.

Indeed, at one time, that was more or less accurate, because doctors did not understand the issues, or the mind-body connection. They also did not understand other issues, such as disorders involving development of the brain, such as Down’s Syndrome. People with these kinds of problems also used to be institutionalized along with the mentally ill, just to ‘warehouse’ them, and keep them out of sight of society at large. It was a very wrong thing to do.

People with mental illnesses may sometimes need to be hospitalized, but usually only for severe cases, where medical intervention is needed to stabilize the patient on medications.

Now, however, we have all sorts of ways to manage the majority of mental issues, and most people would never guess who is and is not in treatment just by looking at them. The term ‘mental illness’ conjures negative images, and the associated stigma from the past. It’s time to end that, and understand that there are so many degrees and types of mental problems that the number of sufferers might even come close to exceeding the number of those unaffected.

Some problems are permanent, caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain; others are temporary, caused by some situation beyond the person’s control. In either case, medications are available to relieve the symptoms, and effect a cure in the milder cases.

“There are 2 days in a year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is tomorrow. So today is the perfect day to love, believe, do, and mostly live.”

— The Dalai Lama

Some Easy Coping Skills

Symptom

Cause

Skill to Use

Fear; Anxiety

medical issue; overdue bills; auto accident; etc.

calming activities--meditation, soothing music, yoga

Anger

being insulted; feeling cheated/cheated on; missing out on a promotion

redirection--hit a punching bag; beat up on a pillow; talk to a trusted friend

Guilt

missing a friend's event; not doing your share; lying

apologize, then let it go--the other need not accept; the apology is for you--knowing you did the right thing

These are just a few basic ideas that can be safely tried on one's own; it is necessarily overly simplified for space considerations, but the general underlying concepts are valid

The Mentally Ill Are Not Stupid

This is another misconception. In fact, some of the brightest minds are most subject to anxiety and depression, precisely because of the stress of being always on the leading edge.

I am reminded of a funny, and true story I read many years ago, that illustrates this principle:

A fellow was driving along, and got a flat tire. He pulled over to the side of the road, and began to change the tire. He had put all the lug nuts inside the hubcap, so as not to lose them. As luck would have it, however, he bumped the hubcap, and all the nuts went tumbling down into the ditch next to the road, and were lost.

The guy was upset, and wondered where he might find help, when he looked up, and noticed he was parked outside the fenced yard of a mental institution, and one of the patients was standing there watching.

He noticed the motorist’s predicament, and suggested, “Why don’t you just take one nut off of each of the other wheels, just until you can get to town and get it fixed?”

The motorist was taken aback at this seemingly reasonable suggestion, and asked, “Well, that’s a good idea—but if you’re so smart, what are you doing in that place?”

The patient replied, “I’m in here because I’m crazy, not because I’m stupid.”

And that’s it, in a nutshell. But note that ‘crazy’ is a word that has since fallen out of favor as being derogatory.

Therapy Models

Thankfully, we have come a long, long way from the days when those with a mental illness or disorder of any kind were hidden away in 'asylums,' shunned even by family, and not spoken of. There, they underwent cruel treatments, including electric shock therapy, water therapy, and other quack medicine practices that did more harm than good.

Therapy often comes into play when the illness has been ongoing for some time. Whether the person is seen by a medical doctor, psychiatrist or psychologist, or a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), depends upon many factors. Initially, a person might consult their regular medical doctor, as they are the ones who can make a referral to further help. You don’t just waltz into a psychiatrist’s office without a referral, in most cases.

The difference, by the way, between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is this: the former is trained in the workings of the mind, and can counsel the patient in coping with their illness, while the latter is a medical doctor first, with a specialty in psychiatry—this means they are the ones who can prescribe medication—the psychologist cannot.

Abandoned Asylum

It is just as well that places such as this have been left to rot and decay, used as they were for warehousing those with mental illnesses, and employing cruel 'treatments' that did more harm than good | Source

Group Therapy

There are also many people who are helped by group therapy. This is a class-like setting, led by a moderator who is usually an LCSW, and not a doctor. There may or may not be an accompanying workbook, with each session focusing on the coping skills addressed in each chapter. The moderator or facilitator gently leads the direction, but does not take on the role of teacher, per se, but merely guides the group as they learn and discover.

I attend just such a group, and it is very beneficial, for in such a safe environment, when you talk about what’s troubling you; causing your anxiety, often, you get helpful feedback or suggestions from other members of the group who have had a similar issue, and you learn the most important lesson of all: you are not alone in this!

It is safe, because the number one rule is, whatever is said in-group, stays in-group; sort of like Las Vegas, but without losing your money.

Of course, a patient might use more than one of these avenues to wellness. Besides the group, I also have private sessions with a counselor (LCSW), about every month and a half, and see the psychiatrist infrequently, when and if my medication needs adjusting.

People used to call those in the clinical field “head shrinkers,” or “shrinks,” due to the mistaken belief that they were out to brainwash the patient, and put them all into the same holes, to match societal conventions. It may have been true in the ‘bad old days,’ but that is far from the case today. Instead, today’s mental health professionals guide the patient into coping skills to manage their respective disorders, and help them learn to be comfortable in their own skin.

From a Personal Perspective on TED Talks

While this man speaks about Africa, and African men in
particular, his words are so true, and apply worldwide.

No More Shame

There is no shame in having a mental illness or disorder.

It is not your fault.

You did not cause or choose this.

It’s time to bring it out of the shadows and closets, and into the sunshine, so everyone can learn and be more understanding and supportive. So let your inner circle be aware if you have one of the issues on the mental illness spectrum.

Then people will know: if you’re having a bad day that you’re not mad at them, or just being a bitch on general principles. That in turn will help their own mental health, by not taking it personally, because they’ll understand you are getting treatment for a specific problem.

No one deserves to be put down or called by rude epithets. The mind is part of the body, and just like the rest of the body, it can get sick. You don’t call someone names because they had appendicitis, the flu, or a heart attack. It should be no different if the person suffers from some form of mental illness or disorder.

Please be kind to everyone; you never know who might be suffering from this invisible condition.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning to dance in the rain.

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Author

Liz Elias 3 weeks agofrom Oakley, CA

Thank you, Ericdierker. What you say is true; although the classifications may be the same or similar, there are so many degrees of severity within, that it almost amounts to separate and varied disorders. I'm pleased that you liked the article, and found it informative.

Author

Liz Elias 3 weeks agofrom Oakley, CA

Thanks, Larry; glad you found this interesting. In point of fact, depression IS one of the assorted disorders listed within that DSM-5 tome of mental illness classifications.

I've suffered from it for some time, myself, from various situational causes, until the situations, (one after the other) lasted so long that a permanent chemical change was made, and I now have to take medication. It's not fun: I HATE pills! But, the alternative is worse.

Larry Rankin 3 weeks agofrom Oklahoma

Depression has always been a part of my life, but mental illness can be a hard thing to define.

Interesting perspective.

Eric Dierker 3 weeks agofrom Spring Valley, CA. U.S.A.

Very well done friend. Such a dynamic area. If there are 2 billion people then within that there may be 2 billion different mental illnesses. It is fascinatingly individually caused. A virus although it mutates can be cured by a medicine. There is no one medicine or treatment for mental/mood disorders.

You did a great job here. I learned much.

Author

Liz Elias 3 weeks agofrom Oakley, CA

Thank you, Venkatachari, I appreciate your comment, and am pleased you found the article useful.

Author

Liz Elias 3 weeks agofrom Oakley, CA

I do think you are correct, in that there are those who want to make excuses, and 'tag' themselves or their children as having some medical or psychological issue, possibly in order to get attention. My husband calls it the 'living life as a victim' complex; in any case, I do think that may possibly be a mental disturbance in and of itself. (Hubby has a Master's degree in Social Science, so he is fairly well versed in this sort of thing as well.)

It's bad enough when people use this for whatever gain they may perceive, but to do it to their children? That's just so damaging!

Thanks much for your well-thought out comment, and addition to the information.

Zulma Burgos-Dudgeon 3 weeks agofrom United Kingdom

Your very welcome, Ms. Elias. It's kind of you to say so, but I don't feel I'm brave. It's just another thing that makes me who I am and brought me where I am now. All in all, I think things worked out for the best. Have a lovely weekend.

Venkatachari M 3 weeks agofrom Hyderabad, India

This is a very in-depth discussion of the mental sickness problem and curation. You have presented it so beautifully with great research like a professional. I admire your knowledge and stamina, Liz. This can be of much help in knowing the causes of the sickness and finding good solutions. Thanks for sharing this rich knowledge.

Mary Wickison 3 weeks agofrom Brazil

I think you're right, that most of us have some type of mental disorder, although that I still think that term is too strong. Often coping methods may help some, such as counseling, other times medication.

I think we as the general public can help by being more accepting of the problem.

On the flip side of it, I do think there are people who want to label themselves with a tag, thus explaining why they aren't further forward in life. Some will do this not just with themselves but also with their children.

These people I think are doing a disservice to those who really need help.

It is a complex subject, thanks for highlighting some of the issues suffered by those with mental illnesses.

Author

Liz Elias 3 weeks agofrom Oakley, CA

Thank you so much, phoenix, for sharing your story. I appreciate your bravery, and I wish many others would come forward, and share--it is really the only way we will get rid of the old stigmas for once and for all--until and unless cures are finally found.

Thanks for the share, as well.

Peace.

Zulma Burgos-Dudgeon 4 weeks agofrom United Kingdom

I was 33 yrs old when I was diagnosed with manic-depression, now known as bipolar disorder. As they explained the illness to me, I felt such a sense of relief. I stopped feeling guilty about my past actions as they really were beyond my control. The illness is incurable but it can be managed. I'm doing so much better now. The diagnosis was the best thing that could have happened to me.